This section is a collection of ideas and thoughts on mathematical activities that can be used in the classroom to help student find meaning and connections in mathematical concepts. Most of the examples come from the EDMG 519 course, however other ideas will continue to be added on an ongoing basis.
Lizards and Beatles
Lizzie collects lizards and beetles. She has 8 creatures in her collection so far. Altogether they have 36 legs. How many of each kind of creature does she have?
The Border Problem
The Border Problem
Below is a 10 x 10 grid. Without counting one by one, how many squares are shaded red (outside border)? How would you explain your thinking to others?
How many squares would be shaded if it were a 16 x 16 grid? If it were đť‘› x đť‘›?
Perimeter and Area tasks
Martha's carpeting task and the fencing tasks are good activities to introduce students to the concepts of are and perimeter and their relationships:
Martha was recarpeting her bedroom, which was 15 feet long and 10 feet wide. How many square feet of carpeting will she need to purchase?
Ms. Brown’s class will raise rabbits for their spring science fair. They have 24 feet of fencing with which to build a rectangular rabbit pen to keep the rabbits.
a. If Ms. Brown’s students want their rabbits to have as much room as possible, how long would each of the sides of the pen need to be?
b. How long would each of the sides of the pen be if they had only 16 feet of fencing?
c. How would you go about determining the pen with the most room for any amount of fencing? Organize your work so that someone else who reads it will understand it.
Operations with fractions
Proper understanding of fractions is crucial for success an "doing mathematics". The type of activities done in this assignment can be very useful in this regard:
Lizards and Beatles
Lizzie collects lizards and beetles. She has 8 creatures in her collection so far. Altogether they have 36 legs. How many of each kind of creature does she have?
The Border Problem
The Border Problem
Below is a 10 x 10 grid. Without counting one by one, how many squares are shaded red (outside border)? How would you explain your thinking to others?
How many squares would be shaded if it were a 16 x 16 grid? If it were đť‘› x đť‘›?
Perimeter and Area tasks
Martha's carpeting task and the fencing tasks are good activities to introduce students to the concepts of are and perimeter and their relationships:
a. If Ms. Brown’s students want their rabbits to have as much room as possible, how long would each of the sides of the pen need to be?
b. How long would each of the sides of the pen be if they had only 16 feet of fencing?
c. How would you go about determining the pen with the most room for any amount of fencing? Organize your work so that someone else who reads it will understand it.
Operations with fractions
Proper understanding of fractions is crucial for success an "doing mathematics". The type of activities done in this assignment can be very useful in this regard:
Lemonade Mix
This is a great activity to explore proportions and ratios: